Roller coaster I: Get You (The Parents) Through Plebe Year - Class of ‘27 🎢

... ok then...
since the conversation switched to hotels... the IHG Hotel App opened reservations in the DC area for the next Army-Navy Game {14 Dec - FEDEX Field}. Booked for 2-BR suite complete with kitchen...
so it's a long shot (🙏) 🤔🙄
that the buffed DS '26 will socialize or stay with us.
 
Wildcat_30 said:
Not sure what you plan to do while you are there, but we like to stay in Arundel Mills. There is a huge mall with tons of places to eat and things to do and our plebe loves to shop haha We just stayed there this past weekend and this is where he prefers to stay whenever we visit, because he likes to be away from Annapolis but it's not too far. The Residence Inn across the street from the mall is not the fanciest hotel, but they have two bedroom suites with full kitchens which is kind of nice.
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I second the Arundel Mills and the Residence Inn. A great setup and we are far enough from DTA. Lots to do.
 
Yeah, but the mall doesn't have the most stellar reputation for being a "safe" area ........ we hear stories as a MD local.

Columbia is halfway between DC and B-More, and about 40 minutes to DTA, depending on traffic. Lots of hotels, restaurants, and shops, as well as ease of access to main highways to get places. And Howard County is one of the richest counties in the country (typically 4th or 5th on national rankings on per capita income), so good public services.

The DC/Baltimore area is basically one big metropolis that stretches east to the Bay Bridge and west almost out to Frederick. It is densely populated, and generally decent no matter where you go (with the typical bad pockets in specific areas).
 
So I have been thinking about the plebe Cha. What happened to him? Is he okay? I asked my DS and he said he has no clue. Or he just does not want to talk about it.
 
... so this is just another leadership trait that they are learning among thousands before graduation: not talking negatively about a fellow mid/officer.
During my conversation with DS, he is very diplomatic and non complaining about his funky roommate and flunking best friend.
 
So, just found out from my DS that he would not be participating in Sea Trial or Herndon Climb! Since he is a varsity athlete, he has training (YP Cruise) in Block 0! I was looking forward to being in the yard for Herndon Climb and celebrating Plebe No More!!! What should I expect from PROTRAMID? Would I have to budget for his spending money , or will he have no time to spend on anything?
 
LKNBrawley said:
What should I expect from PROTRAMID? Would I have to budget for his spending money , or will he have no time to spend on anything?
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Not sure how to answer the budget part. We didnt provide DS any additional spending money and he survived.

He basically grifted the govt for 125/month for 10 months as a plebe, so he still had tens of dollars to spend on his own. A lot of it may be whether they end up in San Diego or the Atlantic seaboard. DS got to go to a Padres game, the zoo, a couple dinners. But nothing outside his own income/budget. Had we sent him some cash, he probably could have spent it, but didnt seem like he missed out on anything.
 
LKNBrawley said:
So, just found out from my DS that he would not be participating in Sea Trial or Herndon Climb! Since he is a varsity athlete, he has training (YP Cruise) in Block 0! I was looking forward to being in the yard for Herndon Climb and celebrating Plebe No More!!! What should I expect from PROTRAMID? Would I have to budget for his spending money , or will he have no time to spend on anything?
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Nothing at all for parent to do... They get per diem for food. Assigned lodging & transportation all taken care of. Honestly they have the time of their lives between the training and enjoying the San Diego area.

Wow, I didn't realize they missed Sea Trials.
Bummer about Herndon. I found that out last yr. that many Varsity teams skip Herndon, I always thought the foorball team was at the base, but they were not even there. Great moment and picture of DS with the cover making a run to top of Herndon until base gave out. He was on the base at the end and said it was brutal. Great seeing them all so happy and then running into the fountain. Being an athlete has it's perks, but it's a shame they miss this.
 
LKNBrawley said:
So, just found out from my DS that he would ranot be participating in Sea Trial or Herndon Climb! Since he is a varsity athlete, he has training (YP Cruise) in Block 0! I was looking forward to being in the yard for Herndon Climb and celebrating Plebe No More!!! What should I expect from PROTRAMID? Would I have to budget for his spending money , or will he have no time to spend on anything?
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... so if the Herndon this year is the same as 2026, it's brutal. If you remember the '26 Herndon, the Mids climbed 24 hours after sea trials. My DS was exhausted. Please attend and show support. You'll meet parents and his classmates.
With $$$ issue, my DS's average monthly expenses during the academic year is $647.00. In the summer to include Protramid, the average was $850.00. The 🌞 summer included fancy dining and spas... long story, really.
 
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severn said:
... so if the Herndon this year is the same as 2026, it's brutal. If you remember the '26 Herndon, the Mids climbed 24 hours after sea trials. My DS was exhausted. Please attend and show support. You'll meet parents and his classmates.
With $$$ issue, my DS's average monthly expenses during the academic year is $647.00. In the summer to include Protramid, the average was $850.00. The 🌞 summer included fancy dining and spas... long story, really.
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... so the long story, during YP mission, the crew docked in NY. Most Mids stayed in hotels. My son's friend from his high school was now an investment banker in Manhattan. And he stayed for several days there. So his summer expenses included dining and spas.
 
Yeah, kids can spend a lot for PROTRAMID. Even the YP cruises can get expensive if they go out for dinner at every port every night.

My dude's Grandma gave him a small chunk of change, and he did an odd job or two since he had Block 2 leave. That way, he wouldn't have to go into the hole much for PROTRAMID. His was in San Diego, and shortened as Block 3 bumped into reform this past year.

It is better this year as I think Plebe's get $200/month instead of the $125/month that '26 got.
 
... so I think it's now $300, my DS mentioned it during the break. Among doing well in Academics, Buffed, and $300 dollahs in the pocket... yup life is good.
 
Yes, 3/C get $300, and can request held pay drops, to a max paycheck of $500/month this year. My kid was quite happy for that.

I don't believe 4/C can request a held pay disbursement.
 
JudgeGuy said:
Nothing at all for parent to do... They get per diem for food. Assigned lodging & transportation all taken care of. Honestly they have the time of their lives between the training and enjoying the San Diego area.

Wow, I didn't realize they missed Sea Trials.
Bummer about Herndon. I found that out last yr. that many Varsity teams skip Herndon, I always thought the foorball team was at the base, but they were not even there. Great moment and picture of DS with the cover making a run to top of Herndon until base gave out. He was on the base at the end and said it was brutal. Great seeing them all so happy and then running into the fountain. Being an athlete has it's perks, but it's a shame they miss this.
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I agree about the part about the perks Varsity Athlete has its perks, but he is bummed to miss this right of passage as a plebe!!
 
LKNBrawley said:
So, just found out from my DS that he would not be participating in Sea Trial or Herndon Climb! Since he is a varsity athlete, he has training (YP Cruise) in Block 0! I was looking forward to being in the yard for Herndon Climb and celebrating Plebe No More!!! What should I expect from PROTRAMID? Would I have to budget for his spending money , or will he have no time to spend on anything?
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2 Mids, never sent either any money. They figure out how to share expenses, eat on the cheap side, and many of the events they go to have a ‘free’ benefit to AD (ie: zoo, baseball game, Busch Gardens). Everyone is in the same boat, so the collectively figure out how to do things affordably.

Certainly sending a little something would be appreciated, I’m sure. But it’s not required.
 
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